Moldova’s exports recorded modest growth in 2025, while imports increased more than three times faster, deepening the trade deficit, according to data published by the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova.
In December 2025, goods exports totaled 351.9 million USD, down 11.1 percent compared to November but 30.4 percent higher than in December 2024. During the same period, imports reached 1.1 billion USD, rising by 12.4 percent month on month and by 30.1 percent year on year.
Overall in 2025, exports amounted to 3.78 billion USD, up 6.4 percent compared to 2024. Imports, however, grew at a much faster pace, reaching 10.92 billion USD, an increase of 20.5 percent.
As a result, the trade deficit widened to 7.14 billion USD, 29.6 percent higher than the previous year. The coverage rate of imports by exports fell to 34.6 percent.
Domestic goods dominated exports, accounting for 78.8 percent of the total, or 2.98 billion USD, marking a 10 percent increase. Re-exports made up 21.2 percent and declined by 5.1 percent.
The European Union remained Moldova’s main trading partner. In 2025, exports to the EU reached 2.55 billion USD, representing 67.5 percent of total exports. On the import side, the EU accounted for 54.1 percent of total imports.
Romania remained the largest export market, absorbing 29 percent of Moldova’s exports, followed by Turkey with 9.9 percent, Italy with 9.2 percent, and the Czech Republic with 8.2 percent. The main sources of imports were Romania with 22.7 percent, China with 13.6 percent, and Ukraine with 10.1 percent.
Oilseeds and oleaginous fruits led the export structure with 15.5 percent, followed by machinery and electrical equipment with 15.1 percent, vegetables and fruits with 11.4 percent, cereals with 8.0 percent, and clothing with 8.0 percent. Imports consisted largely of gas and gas-related products with 9.1 percent, petroleum products with 8.7 percent, road vehicles with 8.2 percent, and electricity with 4.3 percent.
Road transport continued to dominate external trade, accounting for 79.4 percent of exports and 79.2 percent of imports.
Although exports continued to grow in 2025, the much faster increase in imports significantly widened Moldova’s trade imbalance.